Celeste had eaten coarse bread and thin gruel before, but these freshly baked rolls, with soft cheese and cured ham, were a marvel. The herbs and roasted meat perfumed the air, and each bite was a delight, not mere sustenance.
She closed her eyes, savoring the tender bread, the creamy cheese, the savory meat. A humble meal had become a rare feast, a small joy in a harsh world.
Before she knew it, the two rolls she held had vanished. Had it not been for the lingering aroma of wheat, she might have thought it a dream.
Shame tinged her thoughts. Born to noble blood, trained in elegance, she ought to hold herself with decorum—but now, overcome by simple fare, she had lost all restraint.
Darien, oblivious to her thoughts, peeled a boiled egg and bit into it. The yolk broke warmly in his mouth, rich and tender. He smiled, pleased by the simple taste; to him, flavor outweighed all else.
She took a soft roll, rich with cheese and cured ham. The scent of herbs and roasted meat filled the air. 'What sorcery is this?' she murmured, astonished at such humble fare.
Darien gestured toward the remaining platter before her. "Take as you will; waste not your hunger on courtesy."
In half an hour, Celeste had finished nearly all the modest meal. She leaned back, feeling a rare contentment, the joy of simple nourishment awakening within her.
Startled by her indulgence, she straightened, regaining her noble posture. "Milord, I thank thee for thy generosity," she said, bowing with careful grace.
Darien merely smiled, content with the simple pleasure of good fare—and perhaps, faintly envious of her hearty appetite.
At their first encounter, Darien judged Celeste a woman of austere mien, her expression closed and unreadable.
"Then tell me," he asked lightly, "Have you come merely to eat, or are you seeking something else?"
Celeste's cheeks flushed. "Nay… I would fain apologize and beg thy pardon," she said, her voice uneasy.
"Apologize? For what?" Darien asked, puzzled. He recalled no quarrel between them. If offense had been given, would she dare to sup here?
"I… I wronged thee within the castle," she murmured.
"The castle?" Darien frowned. "What passed there?" His memory stirred faintly. He had visited the castle once, yet his thoughts had been elsewhere, consumed by the wonders of this strange world. He could not recall any matter requiring apology.
Could it be that some incident occurred after he departed? Even so, he had not been present—why then should he atone?
Still puzzled, Darien watched as Celeste bit her lip. "Pray, wait a moment," she said, and without further pause, crossed the room. She took a small wooden box from Sir Thorold and returned to his side.
"These are the legacies of Charles," she said solemnly. "You are the new lord; all now belongs to you."
She opened the box, revealing part of the charter and a smaller casket. Darien glanced over it. The charter encompassed Brindlemark, Arvandor Forest, numerous fields and villages, and stretches of the Elderwyn River.
Only then did he grasp the breadth of Charles's lands. When he had signed with Pansy, none of these holdings had been mentioned. It seemed Pansy had overreached.
Yet Celeste's prudence in handing all of it over spared him future strife.
"Indeed… but what is this?" Darien asked, eyeing the small box with mild curiosity.
"This was Charles's prized collection," Celeste said carefully. She opened it, revealing small portions of exotic herbs and spices: fragrant rosemary, thyme, a pinch of saffron, and a few cloves. Tiny jars of dried figs and candied citrus peels lay nestled beside them.
"These are rare delicacies," she explained. "More precious than gold in Brindlemark. Enough to season a feast for a year, or to pass as a family heirloom."
Darien lifted a small blackened cone of sugar, eyeing it with interest. "And this?"
"A sugar cone," Celeste replied. "A sweet to be savored slowly."
He smiled faintly. Though the spices and sweets might fetch coin, he appreciated them for their refinement and rarity, not mere profit.
"Is there anything else?" Darien asked gently.
Celeste hesitated, then in a soft, earnest voice said, "You inherit all of Charles's lands and people… and I shall serve you faithfully, in all matters."
Darien regarded her quietly, touched by her sincerity. "You offer loyalty willingly?" he asked, voice calm.
She inclined her head gracefully. "Aye, milord. Whatever thou commandest, I shall obey."
Darien straightened, his gaze unwavering, and laid a hand upon his heart. "Then, Lady Celeste, as lord of these lands, I accept thy loyalty with the deepest honor."
---
🔍 Did you know?
- In the Middle Ages, exotic spices were so valuable that merchants sometimes kept them locked in chests like gold.
🐧